Redacted JA.pdf

FDO/ MICC Control No. Gordon 2020-6

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(Not Exceeding $650K)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) - Fort Gordon, GA.

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-on Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time & Materials Cost

Funds: OMA Other Funds:

Name of Proposed Contractor(s): Life Technologies Corporation Street Address: 3175 Staley Road City, State, Zip: Grand Island, NY 14072 Phone: 1-800-995-6288

An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The Defense Forensic Science Center requires the sole source purchase of one Life Technology AB 3500XL Genetic Analyzer HID system, two Life Technology 7500 Real-Time HID systems, and two Proflex 96-Well PCR Systems with associated install kits, maintenance tools and software licenses.

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $371,304.25

4. Authority: 10 USC 2304, 41 U.S.C. 1901, FAR 13.5 (a)(2)-- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. The Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) located at the Gillem Enclave in Georgia, provides forensic laboratory services to the Department of Defense investigative agencies and other Federal law enforcement agencies. The Forensic Exploitation Directorate (FXD) requires Life Technologies Thermal Cyclers and Human Identification (HID) systems to support its forensic exploitation mission. The purchasing of these instruments and supplies will also ensure continuity of ISO 17025 ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board accredited processes and required maintenance of critical instruments at DFSC.

b. Life Technologies/Applied Biosystems platforms require peripheral instruments that have been validated by the respective DNA Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform vendors. This system was validated for use in human identification testing for databasing, casework, and paternity applications in accordance with the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) Quality Assurance Standards and guidelines from the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods. Life Technologies is currently the only provider of these systems that have gone through the vigorous validation process within the forensic community. Internal validation of the Life Technologies Thermal Cyclers for forensic casework applications was completed by US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) DNA Branch. Validation is the process in which a procedure and associated instrumentation is evaluated to determine efficacy and reliability for forensic casework analysis. Internal validation is the accumulation of analytical test data within a laboratory to demonstrate that the procedure is performing as expected. The accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity of these instruments are well established at DFSC. (ISO 17025 ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board)

c. The AB 3500xL is the current generation capillary electrophoresis instrument in service at DFSC. The 3500xL has the capability to analyze data from current generation forensic STR amplification kits that contain the recently expanded and currently required CODIS 20 locus set. This instrument has successfully been validated and integrated into the overall system. Life Technologies is currently the only provider of these systems that have gone through the vigorous validation process within the forensic community, and also documented in our forensic laboratory processes. (ISO 17025 ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board).

d. Due to the remote overseas locations of some of the FXD laboratories, normal maintenance of instruments can often not be conducted by a Life Technologies trained service engineer as they are not approved to go into these countries or onto the closed military bases. Therefore the FXD DNA examiners need to perform many of the instrument service and repairs themselves onsite in these expeditionary laboratories.

Specialized tools from the vendor for the instruments is required to permit the DNA examiners to successfully maintain and repair these instruments in theater.

e. Life Technologies is the manufacturer and distributor of these HID systems and has provided a sole source letter.

f. Impact.

1) Failure to award this contract will result in failure to meet the standard 9.4 of the FBI Quality Assurance Standards. Failure to meet this standard will result in the FXD DNA laboratory effected not being able to perform any DNA casework at all and therefore possibly not meet the requirements of the war fighter.

2) The substitution of a different brand DNA Next-Generation Sequencing instrument would result in the government incurring additional supply and instrumentation costs, incurring delays in time sensitive mission support due to changes in forensic processes that would require employee re-training, re-validation and re-certification of laboratory processes. (ISO 17025 ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board).

6. Actions to Increase Competition:

DFSC research scientists are continually researching sources of information and services to enable forensic examiners to conduct effective and reliable examinations.

Market research consists of internet research, literature reviews, discussions with vendors, and other professional resources attending forensic science and technical conferences and industry events. If DFSC identifies a similar requirement, every effort will be made to compete it to the maximum extent possible.

To increase competition the MICC-Fort Gordon will continue to synopsize and conduct market research to ensure there are no other vendors that can provide the requirement.

The Government will issue a sole source synopsis and address any responses accordingly.

7. Market Research:

Extensive research was conducted (Internet searches, telephonic communications, and literature searches) to determine the availability of these instruments. No single alternative vendor to the manufacturer including from the GSA Schedule or the open market has been identified is available to provide all of the equipment required. Life Technologies is the only vendor found that has the 3500XL, 7500 HID and Proflex 96- Well PCR systems. The vendor has provided a sole source letter. The Government will issue a sole source synopsis and address any responses accordingly.

Salient Characteristics: Life Technology

AB 3500XL Genetic Analyzer HID system, quantity 1

3500XL HID Install Kit, quantity 1

HID, 7500 Real-Time Laptop system, quantity 2

HID Realtime PCR Software, quantity 2

Proflex 96-Well PCR System, quantity 2

3500XL Tools, misc.

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No Purchase order or contract number: W91249-19-P-0071 Was action competed? Yes No

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No Purchase order or contract number: W91249-18-P-0055

Purchase order or contract number: W91249-18-P-0144

Purchase order or contract number: W91249-17-P-0205

Purchase order or contract number: W91249-16-P-0033

Purchase order or contract number: W91249-16-P-0156

Purchase order or contract number: W91249-15-P-0144

9. Technical/Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: Thomas H. Tatum Position Title (Division Chief or higher): DFSC Chief of Staff Email address: thomas.h.tatum2.civ@mail.mil Signature: (please e-sign) Date: 13 MAY 20

TATUM.TH

OMAS.HAR

Digitally signed by

TATUM.THOMAS.

HARVEY.JR.106646

466406

Date: 2020.05.13 08:37:43 -04'00'

9. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

This determination will be made using the following: cost analysis price Analysis should cost IGCE other:

audit: (identify the audit type)

As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data is not required because the item and/or services being acquired are considered commercial.

VEY.JR.1066

mailto:thomas.h.tatum2.civ@mail.mil

SIGNATURE:

NAME:

Digitally signed by

RICE.SHERRILYN.ULVIA.1065

ULVIA.10651947 194747

DATE: 47

Date: 2020.05.13 10:26:26 -04'00'

TITLE: Contracting Officer

10. Contracting Officer’s Approval: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

SIGNATURE:

NAME:

RICE.SHERRI

LYN.ULVIA.1

065194747

Digitally signed by

RICE.SHERRILYN.ULVI

A.1065194747 Date: 2020.05.13

DATE: 10:26:53 -04'00'

TITLE: Contracting Officer

RICE.SHERRILYN.